ISSN:
1365-2044
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Two studies were carried out on 609 fit, unpremedicated patients to assess the influence of patient age on the response to the rapidly-acting hindered phenol, propofol, which is being evaluated for induction of anaesthesia. In the first study, 1.25 mg/kg was injected over 20 seconds followed by 10-mg increments every 15 seconds until loss of verbal contact. This showed a great individual variation in response to the drug. A reduction in the ‘induction’ dose was found in elderly patients, which became marked around 60 years. In the second (340), doses ranging from 1.5–3.0 mg/kg in patients under 60 years and 1.25–2.25 mg/kg in those over 60 years were injected as a bolus over 20 seconds. Doses of 2.25–2.5 mg/kg were required to induce anaesthesia in patients under 60 years, whilst 1.5–1.75 mg/kg was adequate in those over 60 years. Side effects were more marked with the rapid injection and doses in excess of 1.75 mg/kg caused significant hypotension and apnoea in the elderly. These studies reveal marked sensitivity to propofol in the elderly with respect to both induction dose and acute toxicity.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2044.1986.tb13271.x
